WO2005069335A1

WO2005069335A1 - Electromechanical switch

Info

Publication number: WO2005069335A1
Application number: PCT/AT2004/000451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adolf Tetik
Original assignee: Moeller Gebäudeautomation KG
Priority date: 2004-01-19
Filing date: 2004-12-22
Publication date: 2005-07-28
Also published as: DE502004010136D1; AT505093A2; AT505093A3; EP1709659B1; ATE443920T1; AT505093B1; EP1709659A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an electromechanical switch, e.g. a circuit breaker and/or residual current circuit breaker, comprising at least two interrupters, each of which encompasses a movable and an associated stationary contact. The movable contacts (6) are pivotally retained on an actuating shaft (4) that moves cams (13) while being spring (18)-biased in the direction of the closed position of the respective cooperating contacts (10, 6). Each of said movable contacts (6) rests against a stop (20) of the actuating shaft (4) in a position of the actuating shaft (4), which corresponds to the open position of the cooperating contacts (10, 6), the actuating shaft (4) being twistable via an actuating lever (3). Each movable contact (6) is provided with an extension (15) that cooperates with blocking parts (8) which are pivotally retained and prevent the movable contacts (6) from moving across a given angle of rotation of the actuating shaft (4) while releasing the movable contacts (6) once a given angle of rotation of the actuating shaft (4) has been exceeded. In order to make such a switch comprising interrupters for outer conductors and interrupters for neutral conductors easy to produce, the blocking parts (8) of the interrupters used as interrupters (A) for outer conductors are pivotally retained on a shaft (7) that runs parallel to the actuating shaft (4), are biased counter to the blocking position thereof, and are embodied with both a section (14) blocking the movement of the movable contact (6) across the given angle of rotation of the actuating shaft (4) and a section (12) which can be controlled by a cam (13), said cam (13) being moved by the actuating shaft (4), while an interrupter that is used as an interrupter (N) for a neutral conductor is configured without the blocking part (8).

Description

Electromechanical switch

The invention relates to an electromechanical switch according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an electromechanical switch is described in FR-Al-2 717 617. This has a contact carrier which can be pivoted by means of an actuating knob, on which movable contacts are pivotably held. These movable contacts are pressed against stops by springs. Above the upper ends of the movable contacts is a shaft which runs parallel to the pivoting axis of the contact carrier and carries an arm at the level of each contact, which arm is connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. Each of these arms has an end face on which the movable contact comes to rest when the contact carrier is swiveled from the OFF to the EI Position position and the movable contact is inhibited by the arm in its further movement. When the contact carrier is pivoted further in the direction of the EIΝ position, which corresponds to the closed contact pairs, each comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact, the springs of the movable contacts are tensioned more and more. Subsequently, an arm runs with an elevation onto an inclined surface arranged on the contact carrier. During this run-up, this arm is raised, all arms being raised due to the rotationally fixed connection of the arms to the shaft, and releasing the movable contacts which, due to the pretensioning of their springs, suddenly move to fixed contacts assigned to them.

This abrupt application of the movable contacts to the corresponding fixed contacts ensures that the required contact pressure is built up very quickly and that initially a low contact resistance of the contacts is ensured, thereby avoiding the risk of heating and, in extreme cases, local welding of the contacts.

However, this solution has the disadvantage that the arms must be fixed on the shaft very precisely, which is associated with a corresponding manufacturing outlay. The aim of the invention is to avoid this disadvantage and to propose a switch of the type mentioned at the outset which can be easily produced regardless of the number of its switching paths and which nevertheless ensures a rapid build-up of the contact pressure when the switch is actuated by hand and moreover in simpler A switch with outer conductor switching paths and a neutral conductor switching path can be realized.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a switch in which the rapid build-up of the contact path functions perfectly even after a large number of circuits. According to the invention this is achieved in a switch of the type mentioned at the outset by the characterizing features of claim 1.

As a result, a rapid and safe abrupt build-up of the contact pressure is achieved with manual actuation of the switch while avoiding a high component expenditure in a structurally simple manner.

Furthermore, it is achieved in this way that different installation habits can be easily met, according to which the neutral conductor switching path must be connected on the left and another time on the right of the outer conductor switching path. By appropriately omitting the inhibiting part, each switch can be adapted to one as well as to the other installation habits with an otherwise completely identical construction of all switching paths. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate switches for one or the other installation habit. The development of the invention according to claim 2 allows switch combinations to be created in a simple manner.

The arrangement of the inhibiting parts on an axis, which of course does not transmit any torque, and the pretensioning of each inhibiting part against its inhibiting position eliminates the need for complex adjustment work, as is required in the known solution, in order to be able to ensure that the moving contacts can be inhibited. A preferred embodiment of the invention can thus be implemented in accordance with the characterizing features of claim 7 in a switch combination which has at least two switching paths each consisting of a movable and an associated fixed contact. The individual inhibiting parts are thus triggered independently of one another via the selector shaft.

A particularly high wear resistance of the inhibiting part of the switch according to the invention can be achieved by the features of claims 3 and 4, respectively. To reduce the space required in terms of a compact design of the switch, the feature according to claim 5 has proven to be particularly useful. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show: Fig. La and lb axonometric representations of a switch according to the invention with the cover removed, wherein according to the Fig.la and lb the neutral conductor switching path is arranged at a different end of an assembly of outer conductor switching devices.

2 is a plan view of the switch according to Fig.lb,

3 shows a section along line A-A of FIG. 2,

4 shows a section along line BB of FIG. 2,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the movable contacts with the switching shaft and the inhibiting parts

Switch according to Fig. La,

6 shows a section along line A-A of FIG. 5,

7 shows a section along line BB of FIG. 5,

8 shows a section along line CC of FIG. 5,

9 shows a section along line D - D of FIG. 5,

10 is an exploded view of the arrangement of FIGS. La and 5 with key switch and operating lever,

11 is an exploded view of the arrangement according to FIGS. 1b and 2, 3 and 4 with

Key switch and operating lever,

Fig. 12 is an exploded view corresponding to that of FIG. 10 but in another

View direction

Fig. 13 is an exploded view corresponding to that of FIG. 11, but in another

View direction, and

Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 views of the inhibiting part.

The electromechanical switch according to the invention has a number of outer conductor switching paths corresponding to the intended use, corresponding to the current-carrying phases of the network, and a neutral conductor switching path. It can be provided for various switching functions. For example, it can be a conventional ON / OFF switch that is used solely for the manual establishment or interruption of an electrical connection. However, the main area of application for the switch according to the invention is circuit breaker technology, ie it is generally designed as a motor circuit breaker, circuit breaker or as a residual current circuit breaker. The number of three outer conductor switching paths shown here is not essential to the invention; depending on the specific application, the switch can always have more or less outer conductor switching gaps in combination with a neutral conductor switching gating. The structure and function of an outer conductor switching device A, in particular with reference to FIGS. 4, 6, 7 and 8, of a switch according to the invention is first described in more detail below. All outer conductor switching paths are constructed identically. The switch according to the invention has a housing 1 in which a switch lock 2 with an actuating lever 3 is held. The key switch 2 is coupled to a switching shaft 4, which is provided with receptacles 5 for movable contacts 6. Furthermore, mounting plates 22 are held in the housing 1, each of which accommodates axes 7 in recesses 21, on which inhibiting parts 8 are held pivotably independently of one another. Separators 9 are formed on these mounting plates 22, which protrude between two contact pairs, which contact pairs each comprise a fixed contact 10, which is held in the housing 1, and a movable contact 6, which is held in a receptacle 5. The fixed and movable contacts 10, 6 are connected to terminals 11 via electrical connections, not shown.

Each inhibiting part 8 is designed as a lever-like component, at one end of which the pivot axis 7 and at the other end both an area which inhibits the movement of the movable contact 6 over a predetermined angle of rotation of the control shaft 4 and a cam which is moved by the control shaft 4 13 controllable area is formed. The inhibiting area is formed by a hook-like bend 14 of the end of the inhibiting part, which end of the hook lies in the longitudinal plane of the inhibiting part. A control surface 12 forming the controllable region is formed on a widening 24 which is directly adjacent to the hook-like bends 14 and projects beyond the longitudinal plane of the inhibitor. Between its two ends, the plastic inhibitor part has a crank. The hook-shaped bends 14 of the inhibiting parts 8 interact with extensions 15 (FIGS. 4 and 6) of the movable contacts 6. When the contacts 10, 6 are open, the extensions 15 of the movable contacts 6 engage in the hook-shaped bends 14 of the inhibiting parts 8.

On both sides, the movable contacts 6 have aligned lugs 16 projecting from their contact carriers, which are held pivotably in grooves in the receptacles 5. These approaches 16 form the pivot axes of the movable contacts 6 (Fig. 7). The movable contacts 6 are supported by a spring 18, which surrounds a guide pin 19 held in the contact carrier of the movable contact 6, on a wall part 26 of the receptacle 5 and are preloaded against a stop 20 of the receptacle 5, the springs 18 in each case between the grooves 17 and the stops 20 are arranged. It is the extension 15 of the movable contact 6 is integrally formed on its end abutting the stop 20.

As the switching shaft 4 progressively rotates in the direction of the closed position of the contacts 10, 6 and thus the rotation of the receptacle 5, the spring 18 is biased more and more because the one end or the extension 15 of the movable contact 6 from the hook-shaped bends 14 of the inhibiting part 8 is held while there is a lifting of the contact carrier of the movable contact 6 from the stop 20. The cam 13 also rotates, approaches the control surface 12 more and more until the cam 13 touches the control surface 12 and then the inhibiting part 8 is pushed away by the cam 13. This results in pivoting of the inhibiting parts 8 against the force of one of these springs 23 which bias against its inhibiting position (FIGS. 4, 12, 13). When a corresponding angle of rotation of the control shaft 4 is reached, an inhibiting part 8 is pivoted to such an extent that its hook-shaped bend 14 disengages from the extension 15 of the movable contact 6 and this is pressed by the spring 18 against the fixed contact 10 with high force, as a result of which a quick build-up of the contact pressure results. This leads to this jumping behavior of the movable contact 6 in a position of the movable contact in which there is still a considerable gap between the latter and the fixed contact 10.

The contacts 6, 10 are opened by corresponding actuation of the actuation lever 3 and the switch lock 2, which is coupled to the control shaft 4. The selector shaft 4 and its receptacles 5 are turned back, as a result of which the position shown in FIG. 2 is then reached.

As explained above and as can be seen from the drawings, the individual outer conductor switching plugs A are constructed in the same way, in such a way that an inhibiting part 8 is assigned to each movable contact 6, the inhibiting parts 8 being pivotable independently about the axis 7 running parallel to the switching shaft 4. To construct a switch with w outer conductor switching paths A, w identical outer conductor switching paths A can therefore be used, which are only to be arranged on a correspondingly long switching shaft 4. Therefore, only w outer conductor switching distances A are required to set up a switch.

The realization of the neutral conductor switching path N of the switch according to the invention is shown, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 9. The structure of the neutral conductor switching path N corresponds that of an outer conductor switching path A, with the exception that no locking part is provided, the receptacle 21 for the shaft 7 of the locking part is left free. The extension 15 of the movable contact 6 rests on the stop 20 from the outset. If the selector shaft 4 is rotated, the receptacle 5 also rotates and presses the movable contact via the lugs 16 seated in the grooves 17 continuously in the sense of the rotation into the closed position with the fixed contacts 10. Since this rotation occurs unhindered by the inhibiting part, there is no delay in the contact closing process, the new neutral conductor switching path is therefore closed before the outer conductor switching gaps, without having to take any special design measures for this. The otherwise identical structure of the switching devices allows the new neutral conductor switching devices to be arranged anywhere in the switching device package. This is preferably done, as shown in FIGS. 5, 10 and 13, at the end of the switch lock or, as shown in FIGS. 4, 11 and 12, at the free end of the overall circuit breaker structure, in each case corresponding installation habits to be observed.

Claims

P AT ENT AN SPOKEN

1. Electromechanical switch, e.g. Miniature circuit breaker and / or fault-operated circuit breaker, with at least two switching paths each consisting of a movable and associated fixed contact, the movable contacts (6) being pivotably held on a switching shaft (4) moving cam and (13) by means of springs (18) in the direction of the The closed position of the respective cooperating contacts (10, 6) are pretensioned, the movable contacts (6) being in a position of the selector shaft (4) which corresponds to the open position of the cooperating contacts (10, 6) and can be rotated via an actuating lever (3) , each abut a stop (20) of the selector shaft (4) and the movable contacts (6) each have an extension (15), which extensions cooperate with inhibiting parts (8) which are held pivotably and over a predetermined angle of rotation of the selector shaft ( 4) inhibit the movement of the movable contacts (6) and after exceeding a predetermined angle of rotation of the Sch Old shaft (4) release the movable contacts (6), characterized in that when switching gears are used as the outer conductor switching paths (A), the inhibiting parts (8) are pivotally held on an axis (7) running parallel to the switching shaft (4) and against their inhibited position are pretensioned, and that the inhibiting parts (8) each have an area (14) which inhibits the movement of the movable contact (6) over the predetermined angle of rotation of the control shaft (4) and also a cam which is moved by the control shaft (4) (13) controllable area (12) are formed, and that the inhibiting part (8) is omitted in the case of a switching path used as a neutral conductor path (N).

2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the inhibiting part (8) is designed as a lever-like component, at one end a pivot axis (7) and at the other end of both the movement of the movable contact (6) over the predetermined angle of rotation the control shaft (4) inhibiting area (14) and the area (12) controllable by a cam (13) moved by the control shaft (4).

3. Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the other end of the lever-like component on the one hand to inhibit the contact movement in the form of a hook (14) angled and on the other hand designed for control by the cam (3) in the form of a control surface (12).

4. Switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the control surface is formed on a widening (24) projecting over a longitudinal boundary surface of the lever-like component.

5. Switch according to one of claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the lever-like component is cranked.

6. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the inhibiting part (8) is made of plastic.

7. Switch according to one of claims 1 to 6, which has at least two outer conductor switching elements (A) each consisting of a movable and an associated fixed contact, characterized in that each movable contact is assigned an inhibiting part (8), and that Inhibitor parts (8) can be pivoted independently of one another about the axis (7) running parallel to the selector shaft (4).